The Customs Law of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as Customs Law) adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on January 22nd, 1987 and promulgated by the Decree of the President of the People’s Republic China provides the legal basis for General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) to undertake statistical work related to merchandise trade. GACC is mandated to compile external merchandise trade statistics by Article 2 of the Customs Law.

The Regulation on Customs Statistics of People’s Republic of China (promulgated by State Council No. 454，hereafter referred to as the Regulation) for the implementation of Customs Law and Statistics Law of the People’s Republic of China defines the tasks and guiding principles of statistical work, concepts and definitions used for compiling Customs statistics, lays down the methodological basis for collecting, processing and disseminating external merchandise trade statistics. Article 17 specifies that customs statistics be made available to the public.

Merchandise trade

The Customs Law of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as Customs Law) adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on January 22nd, 1987 and promulgated by the Decree of the President of the People’s Republic China provides the legal basis for General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) to undertake statistical work related to merchandise trade. GACC is mandated to compile external merchandise trade statistics by Article 2 of the Customs Law.

The Regulation on Customs Statistics of People’s Republic of China (promulgated by State Council No. 454,hereafter referred to as the Regulation) for the implementation of Customs Law and Statistics Law of the People’s Republic of China defines the tasks and guiding principles of statistical work, concepts and definitions used for compiling Customs statistics, lays down the methodological basis for collecting, processing and disseminating external merchandise trade statistics. Article 17 specifies that customs statistics be made available to the public.

The Statistics Department in GACC is responsible for drafting regulations and procedures for merchandise trade statistics, directing nation-wide trade statistics operations, conducting trade data analyses, compiling and disseminating trade statistics. Statistics offices are present in all 42 customs districts. The offices are responsible for trade data collection, verification, processing and transmission to GACC. Currently, there are around 1500 customs officers working on trade statistics.

Customs is legally responsible for the whole process of external merchandise trade statistics from data collection to dissemination. Statistical information is collected and processed in local customs offices, then transferred via internal work-net to customs headquarter for final review and dissemination.

Merchandise trade

GACC is legally responsible for the whole process of external merchandise trade statistics from data collection to dissemination. Statistical information is collected and processed in local customs offices, then transferred via internal work-net to customs headquarter for final review and dissemination.

Article 18 of The Regulation on Customs Statistics of People’s Republic of China specifies that the individual reporters’ data obtained in the process of compiling statistics shall be kept confidential.

In practice, the above-mentioned statistical information shall not be provided to any third party without the permission of the data provider.

Merchandise trade

Article 18 of The Regulation specifies that the individual reporters’ data obtained in the process of compiling statistics shall be kept confidential. In practice, the above-mentioned statistical information shall not be provided to any third party without the permission of the data provider.

Article 15 of The Regulation on Customs Statistics of People’s Republic of China specifies that the source of the external trade statistics are declaration forms for import and export goods and other relevant documents verified by the customs, which are obligated to be reported by the importers and exporters according to Customs Law.

The Statistics Department in GACC is responsible for drafting regulations and procedures for merchandise trade statistics, directing nation-wide trade statistics operations, conducting trade data analyses, compiling and disseminating trade statistics. Statistics offices are present in all 42 customs districts. The offices are responsible for trade data collection, verification, processing and transmission to GACC. Currently, there are around 1500 customs officers working on trade statistics.

Computer editing programs are used to check the accuracy of the data. The editing programs include validation of the reported codes against lists of acceptable codes. Fields that are validated include the HS code, statistical value and quantity, trading partner and customs regime. Lists of acceptable codes for specific transactions are also used for validation purposes. Errors are corrected by customs statisticians after verifying with the importers or exporters.

Merchandise trade

The Statistics Department in GACC is responsible for drafting regulations and procedures for merchandise trade statistics, directing nation-wide trade statistics operations, conducting trade data analyses, compiling and disseminating trade statistics. Statistics offices are present in all 42 customs districts. The offices are responsible for trade data collection, verification, processing and transmission to GACC. Currently, there are around 1500 customs officers working on trade statistics.

Computer editing programs are used to check the accuracy of the data. The editing programs include validation of the reported codes against lists of acceptable codes. Fields that are validated include the HS code, statistical value and quantity, trading partner and customs regime. Lists of acceptable codes for specific transactions are also used for validation purposes. Errors are corrected by customs statisticians after verifying with the importers or exporters.

Since 1980, the International Merchandise Trade Statistics: Concepts and Definitions(IMTS) of the UN Statistics Division has been applied in compiling the China external trade statistics, which ensures the methodology of customs statistics is internationally acknowledged.

In practice, the customs statisticians are legally obligated not to tamper or forge statistics. They are also entitled to stop and expose any contrived interference that might affect the objectivity and authenticity of the statistics.

Merchandise trade

Since 1980, the International Merchandise Trade Statistics: Concepts and Definitions(IMTS) of the UN Statistics Division has been applied in compiling the China external trade statistics, which ensures the methodology of customs statistics is internationally acknowledged.

In practice, GACC’s statisticians are compelled by law not to tamper or forge statistics. They are also entitled to stop and expose any contrived interference that might affect the objectivity and authenticity of statistics.

Customs statistics are compiled from the declarations submitted to the Customs by importers and exporters. The statistical information taken from these declarations includes: commodity code and description, quantity, value, partner country (origin, final destination, consignment), type of customs regimes, individual importer or exporter, domestic destination for imports, place of origin for exports, customs districts of clearance, mode of transport etc..

Coverage

Customs statistics cover all merchandise passing through the customs territory of PR China excluding the following types of goods: temporary imports or exports, goods on lease for less than one year, personal effects of travelers, goods consigned to diplomatic missions and goods in transit.

Since 1995, goods entering bonded warehouses or special customs control areas are recorded as imports when placed into the warehouses from abroad and vice versa. Prior to 1995, such goods were not recorded as imports until being withdrawn from the warehouses for final use.

Commodity classification

Since 1992, an 8-digit classification based upon the Harmonized System (HS) has been used for collecting and compiling trade statistics. The current statistical nomenclature contains about 8245 8-digit commodity subdivisions: the first six digits correspond to the HS 2012, the 7th and the 8th digits are national subheadings established for purposes of tariff, trade statistics or trade policy measures. SITC Rev. 4 is also used for trade analysis. During 1980-1991, customs statistics were classified using a 6-digit classification based upon SITC Rev. 2.

Quantity

Quantities of imports or exports are recorded in terms of units as specified for each classification subheading in the Nomenclature for China Customs Statistics. The weight recorded represents the net weight of goods.

Valuation

Imports are valued on a cif basis and exports on a fob basis.

Trading partner

The country of origin is reported for imports and the country of last-known destination is recorded for exports. The country of consignment is also recorded for imports and exports as additional information.

Time of recording

Exports are recorded on the date when the goods are cleared from Customs while imports are recorded on the date when the goods are released from Customs.

Dissemination

Customs statistics is disseminated on a monthly basis. Statistics are accessible to the public via internet, publications or other media. The release calendar is announced in advance by the end of year.

Merchandise trade

Source

Customs statistics are compiled from the declarations submitted to the Customs by importers and exporters. The statistical information taken from these declarations includes: commodity code and description, quantity, value, partner country (origin, final destination, and consignment), type of customs regimes, individual importer or exporter, domestic destination for imports, place of origin for exports, customs districts of clearance, and mode of transportation among others.

Time of recording

Exports are recorded on the date when the goods are cleared from Customs while imports are recorded on the date when the goods are released from Customs.

Dissemination

Customs statistics are disseminated on a monthly basis. Statistics are accessible to the public via internet, publications or other media. The release calendar is announced in advance by the end of year.

The regulation defines the tasks and guiding principles of statistical work, and concepts and definitions used for compiling Customs statistics, lays down the methodological basis for compiling and disseminating external trade statistics, Article 17 specifies that customs statistics be made available to the public. The Customs Law and the Regulation on Customs Statistics of People’s Republic of Chinaare published and available on GACC website (www.customs.gov.cn).

The Regulation on Customs Statistics of People’s Republic of China defines the coverage, statistical items, the source of the statistics, the collection, processing and dissemination, which is published and available on GACC website (www.customs.gov.cn).

To facilitate the implementation of The Regulation on Customs Statistics of People’s Republic of China, GACC promulgated the decree No. 153 in 2006 to define the methodology of external trade statistics, which is also available on GACC website.

Merchandise trade

The Regulation defines the tasks and guiding principles of statistical work, and concepts and definitions used for compiling Customs statistics, lays down the methodological basis for compiling and disseminating external trade statistics, Article 17 specifies that customs statistics be made available to the public. The Customs Law and the Regulation are published and available on GACC website (www.customs.gov.cn).

The Regulation defines the coverage, statistical items, the source of the statistics, the collection, processing and dissemination, which is published and available on GACC website (www.customs.gov.cn).

To facilitate the implementation of The Regulation, GACC promulgated the decree No. 153 in 2006 to define the methodology of external trade statistics, which is also available on GACC website.

Trade data are released by GACC together with an analytical report on China’s monthly or annual trade performance. The report focuses on import and export by major commodities, major trading partners, modes of trade and main trends.

Merchandise trade

Trade data are released by GACC together with an analytical report on China’s monthly or annual trade performance. The report focuses on import and export by major commodities, major trading partners, modes of trade and main trends.

All staff should abide by the Article 18 of the Regulation on Customs Statistics. The customs statisticians have the obligation to safeguard the secrets of the State and commercial secrets that they acquire from the course of recording.

Merchandise trade

All staff should abide by the Article 18 of the Regulation on Customs Statistics. The customs statisticians have the obligation to safeguard the secrets of the State and commercial secrets that they acquire from the course of recording.

Since 1980, the compilation of Customs statistics follows the concepts and definitions recommended by the United Nations for use in international trade statistics, that is International Merchandise Trade Statistics: Concepts and Definitions, (IMTS).

Coverage

Customs statistics cover all merchandise passing through the customs territory of PR China excluding the following types of goods: temporary imports or exports, goods on lease for less than one year, personal effects of travelers, goods consigned to diplomatic missions and goods in transit.

Since 1995, goods entering bonded warehouses or special customs control areas are recorded as imports when placed into the warehouses from abroad and vice versa. Prior to 1995, such goods were not recorded as imports until being withdrawn from the warehouses for final use.

Commodity classification

Since 1992, an 8-digit classification based upon the Harmonized System (HS) has been used for collecting and compiling trade statistics. The current statistical nomenclature contains about 8245 8-digit commodity subdivisions: the first six digits correspond to the HS 2012, the 7th and the 8th digits are national subheadings established for purposes of tariff, trade statistics or trade policy measures. SITC Rev. 4 is also used for trade analysis. During 1980-1991, customs statistics were classified using a 6-digit classification based upon SITC Rev. 2.

Quantity

Quantities of imports or exports are recorded in units as specified for each classification subheading in the Nomenclature for China Customs Statistics. The weight recorded represents the net weight of goods.

Valuation

Imports are valued on a CIF basis and exports on a FOB basis.

Trading partner

The country of origin is reported for imports and the country of last-known destination is recorded for exports. The country of consignment is also recorded for imports and exports as additional information.

Since 1995, the general trade system has been used for recording merchandise trade. Prior to 1995, the special trade system was used.

The statistical territory of merchandise trade statistics coincides with the customs territory of the People's Republic of China (PR China), excluding the separate customs territories of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Province.

Coverage

Customs statistics cover all merchandise which enter or leave the customs territory of PR China and add to or subtract the stock of material sources of China, excluding the following types of goods: temporary imports or exports, goods on lease for less than one year, personal effects of travelers, goods consigned to diplomatic missions, goods for repair and goods in transit.

Since 1995, goods entering bonded warehouses have been recorded as imports when placed into the warehouses from abroad. Prior to 1995, such goods were not recorded as imports until being withdrawn from the warehouses for final use.

Following types of goods are excluded: temporary imports and exports, goods on lease for less than one year, personal effects of travelers, goods consigned to diplomatic missions, confiscated contrabands, and goods in transit.

Since 1992, an 8-digit classification based upon the Harmonized System (HS) has been used for collecting and compiling trade statistics. The current statistical nomenclature contains about 8245 8-digit commodity subdivisions: the first six digits correspond to the HS 2012, the 7th and 8th digits are national subheadings established for purposes of tariff, trade statistics or trade policy measures.Customs statistics has been classified using a 6-digit classification based upon SITC Rev.4, while during 1980-1991 it was based upon SITC Rev. 2, and during 1992-2006 upon Rev. 3.

The import and export declarations including specifications of goods, such as quantity, weight, price, country of origin/destination and any other information. The declaration is filed at the customs office on behalf of the owner of goods by a customs broker, through an EDI system.

Basis of country data: Country data refer to country of origin (for imports) and country of final destination (for exports) where these data are known by the importer or exporter.

Declaration with the Customs office shall be made by the consignee for import of goods within 14 days after the inbound means of transportation declares its arrival and, unless specially approved by the Customs, 24 hours before loading for export goods by the consignor.

Upon processing and verification as necessary, preliminary data of merchandise statistics are released within two weeks from end of the statistical month.

As part of validation checks, data to be released are reviewed against the historical data at detailed level. Where applicable, data are also checked against other related statistical indicators.

Data checks are executed both by GACC and Customs Districts, essentially to ensure that the transmission of the requested data have been carried out satisfactorily, that datasets are complete, error-free, and there are no extreme values (outliers).

Monthly provisional trade data are released by GACC through news media within 13 days after the reference month. Detailed data are available within 21 days after the reference month. GACC issues two series of publications of China Customs Statistics, that is, a monthly bulletin and a yearbook, both in Chinese and English. The monthly publication is available within 25 days after the reference month. The yearbook is available within 9 months after the reference year.

Computer editing programs are used to check the accuracy of the data. The editing programs include validation of the reported codes against lists of acceptable codes. Fields that are validated include the HS code, statistical value and quantity, trading partner and customs regime. Lists of acceptable codes for specific transactions are also used for validation purposes. Errors are corrected by customs statisticians after verifying with the importers or exporters.

Merchandise trade data are compiled at 8-digit level of commodity classification of HS in terms of quantity and value and by individual trading partners, which could assist users in comparing China’s trade data with trading partners’ corresponding data.

Since 1988, bilateral reconciliation studies have been undertaken with EC, US, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Russia, Canada, Kazakhstan, etc. with a view to study the sources of discrepancies between the trade data published by China and itstrading partners.

The statistics will go through 3 phases of verification: primary check at the customs houses (local offices), intense check at customs districts and final review at headquarters along with the data transfered. In the first and second phases, once an error is detected and confirmed with the importer or exporter, the error will be corrected immediately in the local database. The correction records will be pooled together and transferred to GACC by the end of month. In the last phase, the correction is taken place on a monthly basis in accordance with the priority of dissemination.

To ensure the credibility of the statistics, customs organize specific review semi-yearly.

When the review on the whole year’s data is finished and the yearbook is published, the revision will stop.

Since 2003, China Customs publish in advance the Trade Data Release Calendar in the China Customs website and other publications. The next year’s release calendar would be published in December each year, and updated yearly.

Monthly provisional trade data are released within 13 days after the reference month through CCTV and Xinhua News Agency, China Daily, Economic Daily, International Business Daily, Economic Reference, and International Trade News.Statistics are also published on the customs website. Since 2013, the state council press conference is organized quarterly for the data dissemination.

Monthly publication China Customs Statistics is released by 25th of each month. The annual publication China Customs Statistics Yearbook is available by August of the year following the reference year. Both are priced publications and available to the public through annual subscription or directly from the following authorized agencies:

The information the methodology, publications, tailor-made service and frequently-asked questions are available to the public on the customs website(www.customs.gov.cn), among which, the hotline, contacts and briefing on the methodology are also released in the publications.

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